Dental Emergencies

Tips from a Dentist: How to Handle Different Types of Dental Emergencies

Posted September 15, 2022 3 min read

Home » Blog » Tips from a Dentist: How to Handle Different Types of Dental Emergencies

When a dental emergency happens, the timing of your treatment matters: the faster you visit an emergency dentist, the more you can avoid complications. It can be a frightening experience to have any type of dental emergency, which is why you need to know how to handle different kinds of situations that might occur.

There are often things that you can do to minimize your discomfort when you are on your way to the dental office. Here are some of the most common dental emergencies and tips for how to handle each situation:

Accident or Dental Trauma

It can happen in an instant: an impact or some type of trauma injures the teeth and nearby tissues. Not only can the teeth be affected, but you might also have injuries to the cheeks, tongue, lips, and gums. The type of injury can result in tooth damage or loss.

Common causes of dental trauma include a sports accident, car accident, or falling. Typically, it happens without warning. Your first-aid response depends on the severity of the trauma.

For example, if the tooth is knocked out or dislodged from the socket, immediately pick up the tooth by the chewing surface. Avoid touching the root of the tooth. Instead, carefully rinse it with water, put it in a small container with milk or water, and go to the dentist immediately. For optimal chances that you can save the tooth, you’ll want to get to an emergency dentist within 30 minutes of when the injury occurred.

Toothache or Abscess

When dental decay moves deep into the tooth, it can result in the presence of bacteria that causes severe infection. Once the bacteria reach the tooth root, inflammation occurs, causing the surrounding gum area to be painful and swollen.

An untreated abscess can spread to other parts of the mouth and affect the jaw, neck, ear, brain, and surrounding tissue. If you are feeling pain and have tooth sensitivity, it’s best to talk to a dentist as soon as possible. Other signs of an infection include bad breath, a foul taste in your mouth, or fever.

Initially, an abscess isn’t a dental emergency. But if it goes untreated, then the pain can become very severe. In addition, it’s possible for the abscess to rupture, which causes the infection to spread.

Broken Crown or Filling

When a filling or crown breaks or falls out, you might be able to get by for a little while. But you don’t want to leave this issue untreated for very long. Not only do these issues change your bite, but they can also lead to more damage to the tooth. Plus, a missing filling or crown exposes the inside portion of your tooth to bacteria, which can lead to an abscess or infection. Make sure to call emergency dental services right away if you have a broken filling or crown.

Emergency Dental Services from myDental

If you need to see an emergency dentist, then our team at myDental is here to help. We will fit you into the schedule and can also assist with after-hours services when needed. Call the nearest location to let us know that you are coming.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pick the tooth up by the crown (the top part), not the root, and gently rinse it with water without scrubbing. Try to place it back in the socket and hold it in place, or store it in a container of milk or saliva. Getting to a dentist within 30 minutes gives the best chance of saving the tooth.

Severe, persistent pain that does not improve with over-the-counter pain relievers, swelling in the face or gums, bleeding that will not stop, or a knocked-out or badly broken tooth are all signs of a dental emergency. Fever combined with dental pain can indicate a serious infection that requires prompt treatment.

Most dental insurance plans cover emergency exams and basic emergency procedures like extractions or temporary fillings. Coverage levels vary, but emergency visits are generally treated the same as other office visits under the plan’s terms. Calling the insurance provider before or after the visit can clarify specific coverage and any out-of-pocket costs.

Rinse the mouth with warm water and apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek to reduce swelling. If there is a sharp edge, cover it with dental wax or sugar-free gum to protect the tongue and cheeks. Avoid chewing on that side and see a dentist as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

A lost filling or crown should be addressed within a few days, though it is not usually a same-day emergency unless there is significant pain. Applying dental cement or sugar-free gum over the exposed area can provide temporary protection. Schedule an appointment promptly to get the restoration repaired or replaced before the exposed tooth suffers further decay or damage.